Mindful of Machines: Mental Health AI, Rights, and the Role for Law

Abstract

The “Mindful of Machines: Mental Health AI, Rights, and the Role for Law” workshop, held at the University of Ottawa on February 23, 2024, brought together 36 interdisciplinary participants to examine whether Canada’s legal frameworks adequately ensure compassionate, rights-compliant mental health AI. The workshop included individuals with lived experience, healthcare professionals, AI researchers and developers, legal scholars, policymakers, and regulators, all focused on a central premise: strong legal frameworks must support service users’ dignity, equality, and autonomy. Participants heard expert presentations on key legal issues, engaged in vigorous discussion, and reflected on four questions: (1) What is AI’s greatest potential for mental health service users? (2) What are the biggest risks? (3) Is law adequate to support potential and guard against risks? And (4) what messages should we convey to law and policy makers? This report summarizes the workshop presentations, discussions, and findings.